48 



ELLWANGEJl & BARRVS 



Trees wilh branching beads, sbould bave tbe small branches cut clean out, and the larger ones, 

 intended for tbe frame work of tbe tree, cut back to within two or three buds of their base. 



Jn cases wliere lliere is an abundant root, and small top or few I)rancbes, the pruning need be very 

 light, but where tlie roots are small and tbe top heavj-, severe pruning will be necessary. These remarks 

 are applicable to all deciduous Trees and S1umi1)s, Evergreens seldom require pruning, but Artor Yitjc 

 and other Kvergrcetis |)laiiled iti hedge rows may be advantageously shorn immediately after planting. 



Directions for planting, mulching, staking and after culture, same as for fruit trees (see Hints in Fruit 

 Department, page 8). 



PRUNING. 



Pruning, as practiced by some people, has thecfTcct to render trees and shrubs unnatural and inelegant. 

 We refer to the custom of slicariiig trees, particularly conifers, into cones, i)yramids and other 

 unnatural shapes. Every tree, shrub and plant has a habit of gn)wth peculiar (o itself, and this very 

 peculiarity is one of its beautie.s. If we prune all trees into regular sliapes we destroy their identity. The 

 pruning knife, therefore, sbould be u.sed to assist nature, and liimdled with judgment and care; to lop off 

 straggling branches, to thin tbe head of a ti'ce which has Ix^come too dense, and to remove dead wood. 

 Sometimes it Ifceomes necessary to prune severely to keep a tree from attaining too great size. 



Slieai'iug' may be practiced on hedges, but never ou trees or shrubs, 



PRUNrNG SHRUBS. 



Many persons trim and .shear them into regular shapes, imagining that regular outline adds to their 

 effect and beauty. While symmetry and regularity of form are to be admired in a sbrul), this quality 

 should never be giuned at the expense of health and natural grace. 



Each sbrul) has peculiarities of habit imd foliage, and we sboidd aim to preserve them as far as pos- 

 sible. Judicious pruning to secure bealtli and vigor is necessary, but trimming all kinds of shrubs into 

 one form shows a lack of appreciation for natural beauty, to say the least. Weigelas, Deutzias, Forsy- 

 thias and Mock Orange, ii()W(!r on the wood of tbe lu-eceding year's growth, hence the.se shrubs should 

 not be pruned in winter or spring, but in June, after they bave finished llowering, when tbe old wood 

 should be shortened or cut out, thus promoting the growth of the young wood, which is to flower the 

 following season. 



Spiraeas, Lilacs, AlthiUas, and Honeysuckles may be trinuned during the winter or early in spring, 

 but the branches slujuid only be reduced enough to keep them in good .shape. The old growth should be 

 occasionally thiiuied out and the suckers and root sprouts removed wlien they appear. The best time, 

 however, for jiruning all shrubs is wlu'n they have done flowering. The Hydrangea paniculata grandi- 

 fliora should be severely cut back and thinned early in spring. 



PRUNING KVERGREENS.. 



Use the knife occasionally to thicken the growth and preserve the shape. This can be done in April 

 or May, just before the trees start to grow. 



